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Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

Master of Public Health Program

Jennifer Wentzel in front of bikes in downtown Dayton. Jennifer is an M.P.H. program alumni.

badge for 2022 us news and world report a best in the nation public health graduate program

Right Now, the world needs public health leaders. Right Here, is the best place to start.

Earn your Master of Public Health degree from our nationally accredited program, providing flexible classes from diverse faculty and in collaboration with local public health leaders to prepare you with specialized skills like epidemiology and public health leadership.

 

Master of Public Health Program at a Glance

Master of Public Health Skills

In-Demand
Skills

Specializations in epidemiology, public health leadership, health promotion, and integration with medicine. 

Partnerships

Engage with Local
Public Health Leaders

Partnerships with public health departments across Southwest Ohio.

Hybrid Classes
Convenient 
Classes

Evening courses with online, hybrid, and in-person options. 

Location

Advance Your 
Career Right Here

The only accredited public health program
in the Dayton area.

Why Wright State University?

Alumni

Our graduates (more than 400) are a great resource for our program. Joining the Wright State community prepares you to impact not only the populations in your area but also the next generation of public health professionals. Our alumni understand the importance of investing in the upcoming public health professionals. Alumni present in classes, serve as site supervisors for internships, and are leaders in Southwest Ohio and beyond. 

Hear what our alumni have to say about us.

Employment

Careers in public health include epidemiologists, health educators, emergency response coordinators, researchers, and more. Our program has prepared students to currently work in each of these areas! Great employer relationships begin with networking opportunities. Our program will foster networking between students and current public health leaders. These opportunities are why many of our students are employed before graduation. 

Learn more about the workforce development opportunities provided by our program

Committed Faculty

Our diverse faculty provides expertise in a number of public health fields. Faculty is dedicated to passing on their knowledge, from years of hands-on public health experience. With an average cohort size of 30 students and our hybrid format, students are fully engaged and mentored by our faculty as they take the next steps toward their public health careers.

Learn more about our amazing faculty and their areas of expertise.

Diverse Student Populations

Our students include mid-career professionals, the public health workforce, physicians, medical students, and students just completing their undergraduate degree. This variety in the student backgrounds brings different perspectives to the classroom and adds to the learning process. Students have the opportunity to begin working and networking with their future colleagues. 

Learn more about how to apply to the Wright State M.P.H. program.

Applied Practice Experience

Wright State’s Applied Practice Experience allows students to utilize classroom skills in a real-world setting. The Applied Practice Experience is a supervised applied public health learning experience, allowing students to work within a community organization to support public health efforts. 

Learn more about the program curriculum.

 

Concentrations

The M.P.H. program offers two concentration areas of study: Health Promotion and Education and Population Health.

Public Health Promotion and Education

Health Promotion & Education

Students completing the health promotion and education concentration are trained to use social and behavioral science to study, develop, and evaluate interventions to promote health, prevent disease and injury, and reduce health inequalities. Health educators tend to work in various settings including local public health, healthcare, insurance, non-profits, and worksite wellness.

Population Health

Population Health

The Population Health concentration offers several programs of study to assist students who want to explore a variety of public health topic areas (e.g., global health, emergency management, leadership), focus on advanced analytical methods, or ultimately work as public health practitioners.

Certificates

The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences currently offers four certificate programs through the Wright State University Graduate School. The completion of a certificate is noted on your transcript and it is a great way to show future employers you have acquired skills in a specialized area. Courses completed as part of a certificate offered by the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences can be applied toward the Master of Public Health degree.

Epidemiology

The Epidemiology Certificate Program will provide graduate students with specialized knowledge and skills in applying epidemiologic concepts and methods to prevention and public health problems.

Public Health Leadership

This program focuses on the skills and administrative principles needed to successfully manage in public health settings. Students achieve advanced competencies in strategy, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. In addition, students select professional areas of study such as communications, finance, marketing or budgeting. 

Health Care Management

The Health Care Management Certificate Program offers a curriculum designed to develop strategic management and leadership skills applicable to the health care industry.

Aerospace Medicine

This graduate-level series of courses provides a broad-based introduction to the field of Aerospace Medicine and will enhance the knowledge base of individuals entering into the field or those who may be interested in pursuing a career in this evolving area.

 

Master of Public Health Requirements

1

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

2

GPA of 2.7 or higher

Frequently Asked Questions

Why chose the Wright State M.P.H. program?

The Wright State M.P.H. program is a graduate program within the Boonshoft School of Medicine. It is the only accredited M.P.H. program in Raider Country, the 16 contiguous counties surrounding our Dayton and Lake campuses. The program offers a cohort model for our students and is integrated with local public health in our community. Students get involved in the community in a variety of ways, and public health professionals are frequently a part of the classroom. We have many research opportunities through local partners, the Boonshoft School of Medicine, and researchers in our department.

Is it possible to speak with faculty and alumni that share my interests?

We welcome the opportunity for applicants and students to speak with faculty and alumni. Contact the M.P.H. program coordinator to schedule arrangements.

Is the GRE required?

The GRE is optional. Official test scores can be submitted to Wright State SOPHAS 2467.

How accessible are faculty to the students?

Wright State M.P.H. faculty are committed to the students’ successes in the program. Although faculty are available to meet with students during their office hours and by appointment, the program is just the right size for students to engage with their faculty one-on-one more often.

How is the current job market for graduates of the program?

In recent years we have seen tremendous growth in the public health field. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the variety of careers within the public health fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, public health professions are projected to experience an 11% growth between 2018–2028. There has never been a better time to earn a degree in public health.

What do alumni do after graduating from the program? 

Our graduates have either been promoted within their current employment, have entered their first job, or have gone on to further training (medical or doctoral programs). Their positions include health commissioners, epidemiologists, emergency preparedness coordinators, public health nurses, health educators, program managers, grant managers, researchers, and more.

Are students assigned to an advisor?

Although students are not assigned an advisor when entering the program, students will receive individualized guidance from faculty in their specified area of interest. Our faculty and staff will work with each student to tailor their experience in the program to meet their specific interests.

When do students select a concentration to complete?

Students will speak with the M.P.H. program coordinator in their second semester to map a program of study based on the concentration they are interested in, with guidance from the concentration directors.

Can you attend the program part-time?

Students can attend either part-time (3 credit hours) or full time (6+ credit hours).

Is it possible to work while in the program?

The Wright State M.P.H. program is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Through evening, online, and hybrid courses, our students have been able to work full-time while enrolled in the program. Students can switch between full-time (6+ credit hours) and part-time (3 credit hours) enrollment should a reduced schedule be desired. We seek to empower students to successfully navigate through the program.

How long does it take to complete the program?

While most students will complete the program in 5 to 6 semesters attending full time, students will have 7 years to complete the program. It is possible to complete the program in less time; speak with the M.P.H. program coordinator and/or M.P.H. program director for more information.

Can the program be completed fully online?

The Wright State M.P.H. program is not an online program. While the program does have a few online course offerings, it offers most of its courses as hybrid, giving our students the ability to interact with faculty and our public health professionals who routinely guest lecture.

Are there any assistantships or funding available to students?

The Wright State M.P.H. program has one graduate assistant (GA) position for second-year M.P.H. students. Should funding become available to offer any additional GA or research assistant positions in the program or our department, current students will be informed. Positions are emailed to current M.P.H. students when available.

The Boonshoft Public Health Workforce Scholarship provides scholarships equal to 50% of the in-state graduate tuition and program fees to those employed one year or more in a public health organization.

Additional Wright State resources:

 

Additional resources

 

Request More Information about our M.P.H. Program

 

M.P.H. Program News

2022–2023 Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence: Community Engagement

Sara Paton
Sara Paton, associate professor of epidemiology and director of the Master of Public Health Program, has firmly rooted her teaching and scholarship in community-mindedness and engagement.

U.S. News ranks Wright State graduate programs among best in the nation

U.S. News included Wright State’s graduate programs in medicine, engineering, computer science, public health, public administration, mathematics and business among the best in the nation for 2023–2024.

Boonshoft School of Medicine event to spotlight in-demand public health career opportunities

Public Health Careers 101 on April 6 will include a panel discussion with Wright State Master of Public Health alumni.
Last edited on 11/02/2023.